By Arfa Yunus

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed’s appointment as the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) chairman for a two-year term was made due to his vast experience in related fields.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said currently the government is facing a shortage of experts and experienced individuals.

“He has the experience (and) we have very few people with experience in the government and also outside (of the government).

“Because of that, we need to have some people with experience,” he said after officiating Kompleks Balai Islam Tenaga Nasional Bhd, here, today.

Mustapa’s appointment, which came into effect Dec 1, 2019, was announced on Jan 15 by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Mustapa has vast experience in economy, financial, education and trade.

He had served as International Trade and Industry Minister from 2009 to 2018, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry (2008-2009) and Higher Education Ministry (2006-2008), under the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.

Mustapa was also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department from 2000 to 2006, Second Finance Minister (1998-1999), Entrepreneur Development Minister (1995-1999) and Deputy Minister of Finance (1993-1995), also under BN.

He left Umno and by extension, BN, last year and later on joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).